Winding machine



Aug. 1, 1967 w. L. BECKWlTH, JR

WINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1965 INVENTOR. 2

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Wags

Aug. 1, 1967 w. L, BECKWITH, JR

WINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shae t 2 Filed April 29, 1965 3,333,732Patented Aug. 1, 1957 thee 3,333,782 WINDING MACHINE Walter L. Beckwith,J12, Warwick, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., acorporation of Massachusetts Filed Apr. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 451,783 5Claims. (Cl. 24243) The present invention relates to a winding machineand is directed more particularly to an improved traversing mechanismfor controlling the path of movement of yarn or similar strandularmaterial while winding the material at high speeds onto a take-up unit.

In the following specification and claims it is to be understood thatthe term yarn is used in the general sense to apply to all kinds ofstrand material either textile or otherwise, and the designation packageis intended to mean the product of a winding machine whatever its form.

A variety of techniques have been proposed for traversing yarn at highspeeds axially back and forth on a package core. By way of example, useof reciprocating or oscillating yarn engaging members carried oncomplementary, independently controlled, rotatable wheels, belts, chainsor the like have been disclosed for traversing yarns. With these devicesthe yarn is traversed axially of a rotating package core in onedirection by one of the independent members and is thereupon interceptedby the complementary, separately controlled member moving in theopposite direction. In consequence thereof, the yarn is shifted back tothe opposite end of the package. This to and fro motion of the yarnresults, of course, in its being traversed onto the supporting core toform a yarn package.

While prior art traversing mechanisms of the broad type under discussionmay be successful under certain conditions it has been found in practicethat difiiculties arise with these known devices at the reversal pointsfor the yarn, particularly when these mechanisms are operated at highspeeds. That is to say, with such prior art mechanisms the yarn may notbe deposited uniformly at the ends of the package, but rather may falloff the package end to cause a stitch. Again, the yarn may be reversedat such speed as to cause the ends of the package to be softer or lessdense than the mid-section of the package. Consequently, as the yarnbuilds up in layers the package is squeezed outwardly due to yarncompression at the inner section of the package thereby causing its sidewalls to collapse. Any of the foregoing conditions produce a packageunsuitable for further rocessing and virtually impossible to unwindwithout causing the yarn to break.

Thus, the present invention provides a traverse mechanism for a windingmachine wherein the yarn may be advanced at high speeds, in the order of4,000 yards per minute and higher, while the yarn is traversed onto acore and reversed at the ends of the package in a positive mannerthereby winding a cylindrical yarn package having highly acceptableconfiguration and characteristics for further use.

One object of the present invention is to provide a yarn traversingmechanism suitable for operation at high speeds.

A further object of the resent invention is to provide a traversemechanism capable of traversing yarns at high speeds without the use ofreciprocating parts.

Yet, a further object of the present invention is to provide atraversing mechanism for traversing yarn axially of a package and forcontrolling the point of reversal of the yarn by positive means tothereby wind a package having parallel side walls devoid of stitches,ridges and other imperfections.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a traversingmechanism which is economical to manufacture, and yet highly reliable inuse.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a winding machineincorporating the improved yarn traversing mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary front elevational views of theleft-hand end of the yarn traversing mechanism, illustrating varioussteps as the yarn is reversed in its direction of movement; and

FIGS. 3a, 4a and 5a are top plan views of the structures of FIGS. 3, 4and 5 respectively.

From the broad or general viewpoint the present invention contemplatesthe provision of an endless belt provided with a plurality of yarntraversing pins. The pins are embedded or otherwise supported along theside of the belt and extend laterally therefrom. The belt is carried onguide pllleys which serve to track and drive the belt. The pulleysdirect the belt in a path so that it provides upper and lower generallyhorizontal belt runs or spans extending the length of a rotatable yarnpackage core. The upper and lower spans of the belt are disposed inhorizontal planes parallel to each other. However, in the vertical planethese oppposing spans are offset from alignment with one another. Thatis to say, the upper span of the belt is angled or offset in onedirection and the opposing or lower span of the belt is offset in theopposite direction. Thus, in plan view, the upper and lower belt spanspresent a criss-cross or substantially X-shaped pattern, the midpointsof the two spans intersecting in the plane of the midpoint of thepackage core. Camming fingers are provided adjacent each end of thepackage core. These fingers are operable to receive the yarn from thetraversing pins at each end of the package. Furthermore, the fingers actto damp vibrations in the yarn caused as the yarn is relieved fromengagement with its traversing pin. With these vibrations controlled,the yarn will be suitably positioned for interception by a furthertraversing pin. Hence, an advancing strand of yarn being delivered tothe package core from a fixed fanning point remote from the support isengaged, for example, by a yarn traversing pin in the upper span of thebelt and carried from left to right of the package core to traverse yarnthereon. At the right-hand end of the package the yarn momentarilycontacts one of the fingers. Thereupon, a further pin in the lower spanof the belt engages the yarn to traverse it in the reverse direction tothe lefthand end of the package and engage it against a further finger.By virtue of the fact that the belts are angled with respect to eachother causing the particular pin which traverses the yarn at any giveninterval to move in a horizontal path from a position relatively closeto the periphery of the package progressively outward to a positionfurther removed from said package, and in light of the fact that theyarn is being delivered from a fixed fanning point and traversed onto apackage core in a straight-line path, the yarn tends to slide outwardlyto the outer end of its yarn delivery pin as the yarn is traversedaxially of the package core. This facilitates removal of the yarn fromeach yarn traversing pin by the fingers at the appropriate instant.Furthermore, the normal straight-line path of the yarn is not interferedwith to any significant degree during such action.

Referring now, in detail, to the drawings, wherein a preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, and with particularreference at the outset to FIGS. 1 and 2, a winding spindle is shown assupported for rotation in a bearing 11 positioned in the winding head 12of a winding machine 13 of the type, for example, disclosed in US.Patent 2,740,590 issued Apr. 3, 1956, to J. V. Keith. As described insaid patent, winding head 12 is movably mounted thereby permitting thehead and spindle 10 to rock toward and away from a roller =bail 14. Saidbail is rotatably mounted in bearings 15 attached to a stiff supportplate 16. A fixed yarn guide 17 also constitutes a part of the machineand is arranged in alignment with the axial midpoint of a package core Ccarried on spindle 10.

Spindle 10 may be arranged in any convenient manner to mount the packagecore C thereon whereby the core will rotate with the spindle 10 topermit winding of a yarn package P thereon and such that the package andcore can 'be removed at the completion of the winding cycle. The machine13 provides a mount for an angular member 18 extending from the sidethereof. In turn, member 18 has the elongated plate 16 securely affixedthereto as by bolts 19. Plate 16 extends from the side of machine 13generally rearwardly of and parallel to shaft 10 and projects slightlypast the outer end of said shaft. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, aplurality of pulleys (here shown to be three in number) referenced as20, 21. and 22 are arranged in a triangular pattern at the inner end ofplate 16. Pulley 20 serves as the driver and is secured to a power shaft24 which, in turn, is connected with a suitable source of power (notshown) for rotating the shaft. Pulleys 21 and 22 are rotatably mountedon studs 26 and 27, respectively. Each of the studs 26, 27 is threadedat its inner end to receive a nut 28, 29, respectively thereby fixingthese studs in position on plate 16.

The opposite or outer end of plate 16 is provided with a further seriesof pulleys 30, 31 and 32, each rotatably supported on a respective stud35, 36 and 37. The inner ends of each of the studs 35, 36 and 37 arethreaded to receive an associated nut 38, 39 and 46 for securing thestuds in positionon plate 16. As best shown in FIG. 2, the several studs26, 27, 35, 36 and 37, in addition to shaft 24 are all canted away froma plane normal to the surface of plate 16 in a manner to direct anendless belt 40 which passes around the several pulleys 20, 21, 22, 30,31 and 32 in a skewed path. Thus, the belt moves in a path deviatingfrom a straight line parallel to shaft 10. It will be observed in FIG. 2that belt 40 is disposed in the zone between shaft 10 and plate 16. Asthe belt is driven in a clockwise direction, i.e., in the directions ofthe arrows, its upper span is delivered ofi pulley 32 from a somewhatforward position, i.c., relatively closer to shaft 10 than to plate 16,and follows a slightly rearward path angling toward plate 16 as it movesfrom a position proximate one end of core C to the other. The belt isthen lead about pulleys 22 and 20 in a fashion to be once again shiftedforwardly to essentially the forward position on pulley 26 correspondingto that from which it was delivered off pulley 32. The lower span ofbelt 49 is then moved to the left (FIG. 2) off pulley 20 as the beltcontinues its clockwise movement and passes through the plane of theaxial confines of core C. The belt 40 is thereupon received initially onpulley 31 whereupon it is moved over the periphery of pulley 30 andpulley 32 thereby completing one full revolution or pass. As the belt 40moves from right to left, i.e., from pulley 20 to pulley 31 it onceagain follows a somewhat rearwardly course as illustrated in FIG. 2. Theangular paths of the upper and lower spans of belt 40 are offset fromthe surface of plate 16 approximately 3 and the axes of the upper andlower belt spans across in the plane of the midpoint of package P. Itshould be noted again, however, that in the horizontal plane the upperand lower reaches or spans of belt 40 are parallel to each other.

Furthermore, belt 40 may be a timing belt, if desired, in which eventthe pulleys would be provided with grooves to mate with the teeth of thebelt, all in the manner well known in the art.

Belt 40 is provided with a plurality of yarn traversing pegs or pins 42of uniform length which are embedded in the side or edge of the belt.These pins are spaced apart along the belt, the spacing being a distancegenerally equal to twice the length of the package to be wound. As bestseen in FIG. 2 these pins are bent slightly rearwardly so that the outerend of each pin 42 is in a trailing position to the remainder of the pinas the belt 40 moves clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2. As will be more fullyexplained hereafter, these pins cooperate to traverse the yarn onto coreC.

A horizontal bracket 44 is fastened to plate 16 and, as seen in FIGS. 1and 2, resides in radial alignment with package core C. A pair offingers 45, 46 having inclined sides serving as cam edges 47, 48respectively, are affixed to the top of bracket 44 by screws 49, 50. Thefingers 46, 48 are adjustable longitudinally of bracket 44 by virtue ofelongated slots in the fingers through which the screws 49, 50 pass. Asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, fingers 45, 46 are located at opposite ends ofcore C and their edges 47, 48 cooperate with pins 42 to displace theyarn from one pin and transfer it to a further pin, all to effectuatereversal of the traversing direction of the yarn. As is best seen inFIG. 1 a pair of auxiliary tracking pulleys 52, 54 are affixed rotatablyon studs 56, 58 respectively, which depend from an associated one of apair of spaced blocks 60, 62 welded to plate 16. Pulleys 52, 54 aid intracking belt 40 during its course of movement.

In operation, the apparatus is .threaded up by drawing a strand of yarnY from a suitable supply source, through yarn guide 17, and attaching itto core C in a conventional manner. Fingers 45, 46 are adjusted topositions at opposite sides of core C such that they will engage theyarn at the respective package ends to remove the yarn from any one ofthe yarn traversing pins. In operation the yarn will contact the fingerswhile it is still engaged by any one of the pins. Yet, because of theinclination of the cam edges 47, 48 the yarn will simply slide off thepin and up the inclined edge of the related finger to allow the pin topass. It is important to note, however, that the yarn will not slidealong the edge so as to be out of alignment with the oncoming pin whichwill convey the yarn in the opposite direction. This is due to the factthat the oncoming pin is always approaching the finger and, hence, thereleased yarn from a position projecting substantially further forwardlythan the point where the yarn is deposited on the respective finger, asillustrated in FIG. 4a. Thus, the yarn strand is always positioned forinterception by another pin, promptly upon its release by a given pin.With fingers 45, 46 adjusted spindle is rotated and belt 40 is drivenfrom its power source through shaft 24. In consequence thereof one ofthe pins 42 will engage the yarn and move it across the core in onedirection whereupon the yarn will slide off said pin against one of thecams 47, 48 to be engaged by and traversed in the opposite direction bya further pin.

FIGS. 3-5a are illustrative of the action of the elements of theinvention in effecting reversal of the yarn at the lefthand end of thepackage (viewing FIGS. 1 and 2). It will be appreciated that reversal ofthe yarn would be effected similarly at the opposite end of the package.In FIGS. 3 and 3a the yarn Y is seen to be engaged by one of the pins42. It will be observed further from FIG. 3a that the yarn is riding onthe bent or trailing portion of the pin. In accordance therewith, thelength of the pins is carefully controlled consistent with theangularity of the belt 40 and in keeping with the slope of the cams 47,48 whereby as the yarn moves across the core C and package P itgradually migrates laterally of the pin toward the outer end thereof sothat the yarn is adjacent the outer end of the pin just prior toengagement by one of the cam edges 47, 48, having moved to that outerend position from an initial or beginning position somewhat closer tobelt 40 (see FIG. 512).

As the yarn Y is moved against edge 47 the traversal movement of theyarn in the direction of travel of the pin carrying it is, of course,stopped thereby while pin 42 continues its motion toward the left and,as seen in FIG. 4 the pin slides past the yarn, the yarn riding slightlyup the sloping edge of the cam to permit passage of the pin. Suchcommunication of the yarn with edge 47, while very brief in time, dampsany vibration induced in the yarn during its removal from pin 42, thus,insuring the yarn will be aligned for engagement by the oncoming pin.The yarn, which is momentarily checked against edge 47, immediatelybegins to move away from said edge to slide toward said packagemidpoint, since the yarn is under tension and is diverted from itsnormal yarn path in alignment with the axial midpoint of package P.

FIGS. 4 and 4a illustrate the yarn shortly after it has been disengagedfrom one in and just prior to its being picked up by a further pin.During this period when the yarn is very briefly relieved of control byany of the pins 42 it migrates from either end of the package inwardlyat a speed proportionate to the angle of deflection of yarn from itsnormal path in alignment with the axial midpoint of the package.Therefore, if a more rapid return of the yarn is desired the fanningpoint, i.e., yarn guide 17, would be moved closer to package P. Thus,package ridges, caused by variations in the traversal rate of the yarnwhen under free traversal, as opposed to the condition when the yarn ispositively traversed by pins 42 can be reduced to any period or ratewithout recourse to tension adjustments in the yarn. However, it shouldbe noted that whatever rate of return of the yarn is selected, thestarting of yarn return from either end of the package toward the centeroccurs immediately when the traversing pin 42 which delivered the yarnacross the package has dropped the yarn against a respective one of theedges 47, 48, there being virtually no lag of the yarn at the packageends. As the yarn commences its free movement toward the packagemidpoint, a further yarn traversing pin 42 is rapidly brought intoengagement with the yarn to move the yarn positively in this oppositedirection, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. Moreover, it will be observed inthese last two mentioned views that the yarn is seated against the innerportiton of the pin 42, i.e., that section of the pin normal to the edgeof belt 40, the yarn once again migrating toward the outer end of thepin as it is traversed to the opposite end of the package. Tendency ofthe yarn to develop minute ridges on the package, as my occur especiallyduring periods when the yarn is under traversal free from contact withany of the pins 42, is

compensated for by roller bail 14 which acts to smooth the packagesurface.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the instant inventionprovides means for traversing yarn axially of a core to wind a package,such traverse being capable of operation of high speeds, i.e., in theorder of 4000 yards per minute and higher, while winding a packagehaving straight, uniform side walls and providing uniformity in thecircumference of the package. Furthermore, it will be observed,particularly from FIGS. 3a, 4a, and 5a that the unique arrangement ofthe present invention causes the yarn being carried across the packageby an active traversing pin to be deposited inwardly on the cam edge ofthe particular finger 45, 46 against which the yarn is moved. At thesame time the next pin which will convey the yarn in the oppositedirection approaches the yarn from a position quite forwardly of thefinger (see FIG. 4a). Thus, even though some forward movement of theyarn along the cam edges 47, 48 may occur when the active delivery pinpasses, as previously described, still the yarn is always aligned in thepath of the oncoming pin since the forward displacement of the yarn onthe finger is never of such magnitude as to carry it outside theconfines of the path of the on-coming pin. Therefore, the yarn is alwaysin readiness for instant traversal in the opposite direction. Thisprecludes the necessity of any lag at either end of the package whilethe yarn is realigned for reception by the on-coming pin.

Since certain changes may be made in the apparatus without departingfrom the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for winding yarn comprising:

(A) means for rotatably supporting a core onto which yarn delivered froma supply is wound into a package, said package having first and secondsides;

(B) a single and continuous movable means having a fiat portion and anend portion;

(C) a plurality of traversing elements afiixed at their respective innerends into said end portion of said movable means and having theirrespective outer ends projecting therefrom;

(D) cam means positioned adjacent said first and second sides of saidpackage, and

(E) support means for positioning said movable means to provide firstand second oppositely extending and criss-crossing spans, said firstspan being disposed to move in a path from a first positioncorresponding to a first side of said package Where an active one ofsaid traversing elements in said first span engages said yarn andtraverses it across said package to a second position corresponding to asecond side of said package where said active traversing element of saidfirst span disengages from said yarn; said second span being disposed tomove in a path from a first position corresponding to said second sideof said package where an active one of said traversing elements in saidsecond span engages the yarn and traverses it across said package to asecond position corresponding to said first side of said package wheresaid active traversing element of said second span disengages from theyarn; said crisscrossing occurring substantially at the mid-point ofsaid package, said traversing elements, cam means and the angle of saidmovable means being constructed and arranged in order that thetraversing element engaging said yarn and the traversing elementdisengaging said yarn converge substantially simultaneously, moving inopposite directions, at a point on said cam means, wherebysaidtraversing element disengaging said y-arn strand is at substantially thesame height as said cam surface at point of contact, and said traversingelement engaging said yarn is of substantially greater height than saidcam surface at point of contact.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including guide means locatedbetween a supply source and said package, said guide means acting todirect the yarn advancing to said package in the path of movement ofsaid traversing elements.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second spansmove in parallel horizontal paths.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said traversing elementsare elongated members, each having a yarn guiding surface, the yarnbeing slidable on said surface toward the outer end of the activetraversing element on said first span as said first span moves towardits second position, and the yarn being slidable on said surface towardthe outer end of the active traversing element on said second span assaid second span moves toward its second position.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said traversingelement includes an inclined portion of said outer end thereof forfacilitating movement of the yarn off each said element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,212 2/1916 Allen et al.2421 58 X 1,239,669 9/1917 Colman 242-158 X 2,238,128 4/1941 Nydegger242-158 X 3,294,327 12/ 1966 Horwood 242 -43 FOREIGN PATENTS 642,286 6/1962 Canada. 972,440 8/1950 France.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR WINDING YARN COMPRISING: (A) MEANS FOR ROTATABLYSUPPORTING A CORE ONTO WHICH YARN DELIVERED FROM A SUPPLY IS WOUND INTOA PACK AGE, SAID PACKAGE HAVING FIRST AND SECOND SIDES; (B) A SINGLE ANDCONTINUOUS MOVABLE MEANS HAVING A FLAT PORTION AND AN END PORTION; (C) APLURALITY OF TRANSVERSING ELEMENTS AFFIXED AT THEIR RESPECTIVE INNERENDS INTO SAID END PORTION OF SAID MOVABLE MEANS AND HAVING THEIRRESPECTIVE OUTER ENDS PROJECTING THEREFROM; (D) CAM MEANS POSITIONEDADJACENT SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDES OF SAID PACKAGE, AND (E) SUPPORTMEANS FOR POSITIONING SAID MOVABLE MEANS TO PROVIDE FIRST AND SECONDOPPOSITELY EXTENDING AND CRISS-CROSSING SPANS, SAID FIRST SPAN BEINGDISPOSED TO MOVE IN A PATH FROM A FIRST POSITION CORRESPONDING TO FIRSTSIDE OF SAID PACKAGE WHERE AN ACTIVE ONE OF SAID TRANSVERSING ELEMENTSIN SAID FIRST SPAN ENGAGES SAID YARN AND TRAVERSES IT ACROSS SAIDPACKAGE TO A SECOND POSITION CORRESPONDING TO A SECOND SIDE OF SAIDPACKAGE WHERE SAID ACTIVE TRAVERSING ELEMENT OF SAID FIRST SPANDISENGAGES FROM SAID YARN; SAID SECOND SPAN BEING DISPOSED TO MOVE IN APATH FROM A FIRST POSITION CORRESPONDING TO SAID SECOND SIDE OF SAIDPACKAGE WHERE AN ACTIVE ONE OF SAID TRAVERSING ELEMENTS IN SAID SECONDSPAN ENGAGES THE YARN AND TRAVERSES IT ACROSS SAID PACKAGE TO A SECONDPORTION CORRESPONDING TO SAID FIRST SIDE OF SAID PACKAGE WHERE SAIDACTIVE TRAVERSING ELEMENT OF SAID SECOND SPAN DISENGAGES FROM THE YARN;SAID CRISSCROSSING OCCURRING SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE MID-POINT OF SAIDPACKAGE, SAID TRAVERSING ELEMENTS, CAM MEANS AND THE ANGLE OF SAIDMOVABLE MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED IN ORDER THAT THETRAVERSING ELEMENT ENGAGING SAID YARN AND THE TRAVERSING ELEMENTDISENGAGING SAID YARN COVERGE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY, MOVING INOPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, AT A POINT ON SAID CAM MEANS, WHEREBY SAIDTRAVERSING ELEMENT DISENGAGING SAID YARN STRAND IS AT SUBSTANTALLY THESAME HEIGHT AS SAID CAM SURFACE AT POINT OF CONTACT, AND SAID TRAVERSINGELEMENT ENGAGING SAID YARN IS OF SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER HEIGHT THAN SAIDCAM SURFACE AT POINT OF CONTACT.